What unusual physical evidence was found embedded in the jaws of a large female shark off western North America?
Answer
Bat ray stingers
The feeding ecology along the western North American coast demonstrates the opportunistic nature of adult sharks, even when marine mammals like sea lions are a primary food source. While adults predominantly consume pinnipeds, physical evidence recovered from captured individuals reveals broader dietary interactions. Specifically, observations noted the discovery of numerous bat ray stingers embedded within the jaws of one captured adult female shark, alongside remnants of both a harbor seal and an elephant seal. The presence of stingers indicates that even large adults consume benthic (bottom-dwelling) prey when such resources are locally available, even if those items are not their preferred, high-fat staple.
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